2020 Parking: Special Issues in Commercial Leases

The right of tenants – and their employees and customers – to park can be one of the most important elements of office and retail leases.  Physical space is often sparce and expensive, making parking spots even more dear.  Tenants want absolute rights to parking and to ensure attendant services – e.g., snow removal, maintenance, etc. – while landlords want maximum flexibility, including the right to reclaim spots.  This program will provide you with a practical guide to spotting parking issues in commercial leases, and negotiating effective rights for your clients. 

• Demised spaces v. rights to park
• Types of rights to park – general rights v. exclusive rights
• Issues for lots v. parking garages
• Duties to patrol employee use of parking spots
• Economic issues for landlords and tenants, including CAM
• Parking as zoning issue – ratio of office/retail space to parking spots
• Reclamation of parking spots by landlord for later development

Note: This material qualifies for self-study credit only. Pursuant to Regulation 15.04.5, a lawyer may receive up to six hours of self-study credit in a reporting year. Self-study programs do not qualify for ethics, elimination of bias or Kansas credit.